Page 119 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

The Gods in Grey

The Underworld echoed with old stories.

Many of these stories were simply rumours

but it was difficult to tell the difference

between legend and lore.

But this one? This legend made sense.

You see, it was a straight path

from the lavender-dipped

Asphodel Meadows,

through the orchard of dark fruit

that belonged to Hades,

beyond which lay

his palace.

But what protected Hades’ palace

were beings so unfathomably brutal

we only knew them as

the Gods in Grey.

It was said that

they were manifestations

of shadows and evil thoughts,

dark deeds and cruelty.

Once these things terrorized

the Gods and mortals so much

that they were imprisoned

in Tartarus, locked away forever by Zeus.

But Hades made a bargain with them.

Freedom from Tartarus in exchange

for their guardianship of his palace.

They swore an oath to him by Styx’s waters.

If they caught you…

no one knew what happened.

There were no survivors

to tell that tale.